Sai- ety-otarb foe



W. GRIES. SAFETY GUARD FOR BOLTS AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION mm MARifi. 19w.

Patented May 13, 1919.

starts SAFETY-GUARD FDR BOLTS AND L' mmM-m Specification of Letters Patent.

application filed. March 6, 1917. Serial No. 1553mm.

all whom may concern: Be 1t known that 1, WILLIAM GRIES,. a

' citizen of the United States, residing at To this end the invention contemplates a simple and practical device in the form of a guard clamp which may be readilv applied to a bolted joint in such a manner as to prevent the bolt from being lost in case the nut thereon works loose. Under such conditions the bolt is frequently jarred entirely out of place with the result thatthe steering gear is disconnected and the dr1ver loses control of the vehicle, thereby creating an exceedingly dangerous condition' With a view of entirely obviating this possibility, the present invention provides a safety guard which may be readily and firmly clamped in such a position as to positively hold the bolt in its proper place regardless of the presence or absence of the nut, While at the same time not interferingv at all with the free relative movement of all parts of the steering gear, and preventing the working of the parts due to vibration so that the nut is not loosened.

A. further object of the invention is to provide a device which is substantial and all ti ti reliable in action, and which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and easily and quickly installed, and which after being applied requires little or no manual attention.

With the above and other objects in view which will more readily. appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed.

A preferred and practical embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle steering gear showing the application my invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the inven' tion removed' from the steering geei-r.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a portionof a steering gear joint showing the clamp applied thereto.

Similar references designate correspond ing parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

1n carrying out the invention, it is proposed to make the several parts thereof as simple and few in number as possible, and to this end the device includes in its or ganization an attaching bracket 1 and a" clamping guard body '2 which are detaclr ably connected, as will hereinafter n'iore fully appear,-to facilitate the application of the device.

As will be observed from l of the drawing, illustrating the device applied to the steering gear of a motor vehicle, the attaching bracket 1 is preferably secured. to the steering cross rod R, and holds the guand body 2 inoperative position over the bolt, which connects the cross rod and. link 11. That is to say, the attaching bracket l is preferably in the form of a circular cl for embracing the cross rod of the sto gear, and has relatively free dependi ing arms 3 provided'with suitable o sings to receive the securing bolts i, av serve to clamp at one side of one oi": the arms 3 the attaching end portion 5 of the guard member 2. The clamping of the attaching end portion 5 of the guard member to the depending arms of the. attaching bracket thus places the said. arms under a the bolts 4 tight in the same manner that would be accomplished by the use of a lock washer. 7

Referring now more particularly to the guard body element 2,, it will be observed that the same is of angular formation, and includes the body portion or web 6, and the angularly disposed bolt engaging portions ti ll ill . tension that is sufficient to keep the nuts on liltl 7. The entire guard body is preferably made of metal possessing sufficient resili ency to yleldingly engage both ends of the bolt, to thereby prevent any vertical move ment of the same in the joint, and because of the connection of the attaching end 5 of the guard body with the arm of the attaching bracket 1., it will be clear that the entire guard body is firmly held in place and pre vented from lateral or longitudinal move" merit, to thereby securely hold' the bolt.

liltl Owing to the relatively narrow Width of the entire guard portion 2 of the device, and its location at the end of the rod 2, it will be ap1')arent that the relative swinging move ment between the link L and the rod R will not in any Way be hindered, but the bolt will be securely held in place and prevented from jumping out, thereby minimizing the possibility of disastrous results.

WVithout further description, it is thought that the many features and advantages of the invention will be apparent, and it will, of course, be understood that changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I. claim:

1. A safety guard for the like comprising an attaching bracket adapted to be supported from a member of the joint, and a guard element of angular bolted joints and formation to embrace the joint and overlie both ends of the bolt, said being carried by the bracket.

2. A safety clamp of the class described guard element bracket for including a guard element con'iprising a body having offset abutment members providing a clearance space therebetween, one of said members being extended to provide an attaching portion, and an attaching said guard member.

3. A safety clamp of the class described including an attaching bracket having a circular clamp portion and depending bolting arms, and a guard element including a body having spaced offset portions, and also having an attaching extension, and bolts for connecting the attaching section of the guard element to the attaching bracket.

4. A safety guard for bolted joints and the like, comprising a guard element having a member embracing the joint and overlying both ends of the bolt, and attaching means for supporting the guard element.

In testimony whereof I hereunto allix my signature in the presence oi two \\ilnesses.

WILLIAM (illlllh.

i tnesses Enxns'r M. 'lArNnn, ROBERT F. Bnowx n. 

